Glassine Envelopes V Clear Poly Resealable Envelops

Recently I purchased some stamps from a collector, and he sent the stamps in clear polyurethane envelopes. What was nice they were nice and clear you could see the stamps very clearly.

SO what are the advantages and disadvantages of using clear poly envelopes viruses glassine envelopes?

As long as the products are acid free, the use of poly envelopes or glassine envelopes will protect your stamps. I suspect that most collectors use glassine envelopes because they are more rigid, will stack into boxes neatly for storage, and can be written on in terms of identifying the contents.

The poly envelopes are thinner, and the contents would be more apt to become damaged, folded, etc., because of it. True, they are better in terms of being able to clearly see the contents, but some collectors would find that storing a large quantity of them with their contents can be a bit problematic, which is why glassine envelopes are usually preferred.

I read something about the possibility that plasticizers used to in poly bags could react with paper/inks etc. A lot of comic and ephemera collectors swear by mylar rather than poly bags.

That said, I have so many used glassines floating around...they seem to multiply.

You have to distinguish what kind of "poly" the plastic sleeve is -- polyethylene or polypropylene. Polyethylene is definitely a no-no. I collect comics and paperbacks. Polyethylene sleeves will start turning noticeably yellow (an acidic reaction) within a year. I have stored comics and paperbacks in polypropylene literally for decades without any noticeable effect on the sleeves or the contents.

Glassine is also acidic, as testified by all the yellowed and brown envelopes you have seen or may even have stamps in, currently.

Oh, and if the package of sleeves merely says "poly sleeves," it's a good bet they're polyethylene.

A very good source (re variety and price) is the dealer clemonster on ebay. He has everything from postcard to magazine size.

I find the paperback and comic book-sized sleeves a great substitute for stamp mounts, which can run upwards of $1.50 to $2.00 each for the largest sizes. A comic sleeve 6c to 8c each, depending on your purchase quantity), acid-free black card stock, 8c (3.95/50 shts at Wal-Mart), and 2c worth of acid-free double-stick scrapbooking tape, and even the largest block or souvenir sheet can be mounted for less than 20c.

Cheers,

Tedski

Do they make poly envelopes that looks like glassine envelopes

I have some of this ebay sellers (uniquepacking) bags. Here is his description from one listing:




http://myworld.ebay.com/uniquepacking/

I use the non-resealable (open) bags for shipping. I just fold them over and run a ruler down the fold to crease it. I am somewhat leery of the resealable bags. Afraid a stamp would stick to the adhesive on its way in or out of the bag.

But the adhesive is something like really good scotch 3m tape or those post-it notes, the flap peels off again.

For long term storage I use glassines (pressed paper) because of the fear of moisture build up and mint stamps sticking. I may be wrong.

These bags have a somewhat sharper edge than glassine. Crinkly so with a small (2 inch x 2 inch) bag it is sometimes difficult to get the bag open and hold it open. Just press the bag between thumb and finger and slide sideways so the bag is squeezed apart. No harm done, works a charm.

For shipping it looks way more expensive than glassine, many people have thought I paid more for these little (or large) bags. The buyer can handle the stamp while still in the bag and see through the ultra clear plastic to the stamp / cover inside. protects from fingerprints etc. And mostly from moisture during shipment.

But for mint stamps I mostly place them in a glassine and then in polypropylene bag. It would probably be OK in one or the other but I am paranoid a bit.

Pic of some I have. The non-ealable bags come in resealable bags! lol
You do acquire very good stamp tong handling ability when using these bags, getting the stamps in or out of them.



Included a black-backed 102 dealer card for comparison. The polypropylene on the 102 card is the same as the bags, seems like anyway. The bags do not have a black background card included, just the clear bag. I used a black matte piece of paper to background the whole scan.